A la carte
Simple Will $300*
Power of Attorney $75*
Health Care Proxy $75*
Living Will $50*
All-in Singles
Simple Will $400*
Power of Attorney Included
Health Care Proxy Included
Living Will Included
All-in Couples
Simple Will (2) $700*
Power of Attorney (2) Included
Health Care Proxy (2) Included
Living Will (2) Included

Wills Attorney

Wills

A common misconception is that estate planning is only important for those with money or who are elderly. This myth can cause considerable financial and emotional hardship to those that have failed to plan their estate. By investing the time today to plan your estate, you may save your loved ones months if not years of agony and alleviate thousands of dollars in court fees and/or estate taxes. The most basic way to accomplish your goals is through the use of a Will, which is a legally binding document that addresses how your assets will be distributed at your death and also names an executor who will assist with the administration of your estate. In addition to naming distribution of the estate, your will can also designate a trust(s) to be established for family members after assets go through probate, nominate a guardian for any minor children (or disabled adult children), and direct how debts, taxes and expenses are to be paid (and from which assets). 

After your death your Will shall be probated, a process which, depending on the nature of your estate, may last anywhere from 6 months (for simple estates) to 1-2 years (for complex estates). This process will be supervised by the probate court of your jurisdiction.

Advantages: 

  • Disputes and Will contests can be settled through the current probate proceeding.
  • A Will is cheaper to prepare than a trust, ranging from $300-$1000.
  • The probate process provides a limited time for creditors to make claims against your estate.
  • Probate estates can select a fiscal year rather than a calender year for income tax purposes.

Disadvantages:

  • Lack of Privacy: Wills are public records once they have been probated.
  • Time: Probate can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
  • Multi-State Assets: Any property you own in another state must be probated in that state.
  • Cost of Probation: Legal fees, court costs, and administrative fees can range anywhere from 3% to 10% of your gross estate.
  • No Lifetime Powers: Your Will does not protect you, or your assets while you are living, and only becomes effective on death.

Helpful Links

Massachusetts Intestacy Law

Massachusetts Probate and Estate Forms 

Contact

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Additional Documents

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney provides the named individual with the ability to manage your financial affairs while you are incapacitated or otherwise incapable of managing your own affairs. This allows the person to pay your bills, collect money for you and handle many legal and financial decisions on your behalf.

Health Care Proxy

A Health Care Proxy is similar to a Power of Attorney, however, this document is strictly for medical and health decisions. This document provides the named individual with the ability to make your medical decisions for you, when you are incapacitated or otherwise incapable of making those decisions for yourself.

Living Will

This document provides instructions to doctors, lawyers, friends and family about you ultimate wishes should you be diagnosed with a terminal condition. This is an important document to have for anyone, and allows you to state whether you would like care givers to use heroic efforts to keep you alive for as long as possible, or whether you would like care givers to allow you a painless and comfortable passing.

*      items marked with * may vary in price depending on exact needs of client.